^Nimrod ' 



road, and now that of the natty artist of the Comet experi- 

 enced a high treat. He had a full view of his quondam 

 passenger, and thus described his situation. He was seated 

 with his back to the horses — his arms extended to each 

 extremity of the guard-irons — his teeth set grim as death — 

 his eyes cast down towards the ground, thinking the less he 

 saw of his danger the better. There was what is called a 

 top-heavy load — perhaps a ton of luggage on the roof, and, 

 it may be, not quite in obedience to the act of parliament 

 standard. There were also two horses at wheel whose 

 strides were of rather unequal length, and this operated 

 powerfully on the coach. In short, the lurches of the 

 Regulator were awful at the moment of the Comet meeting 

 her. A tyro in mechanics would have exclaimed, * The 

 centre of gravity must be lost ; the centrifugal force will 

 have the better of it — over she must go ! ' 



The centre of gravity having been preserved, the coach 

 arrived safe at Hartford Bridge ; but the old gentleman has 

 again had enough of it. * I will walk into Devonshire,' said 

 he, as he descended from his perilous exaltation. * What 

 did that rascally waiter mean by telling me this was a slow 

 coach ? and, moreover, look at the luggage on the roof ! ' 

 * Only regulation height, sir,' says the coachman ; * we 

 aren't allowed to have it an inch higher ; sorry we can't 

 please you, sir, but we will try and make room for you in 

 front.' * Fronti nulla fides, ^ mutters the worthy to himself 

 as he walks tremblingly into the house — adding, * I shall not 

 give this fellow a shilling ; he is dangerous.^ 



197 



